Coins, Currency, and Medals

The museum possesses one of the largest and most diverse numismatic collections in the world. Its diverse holdings represent every inhabited continent and span more than three millennia. The collection includes coins, paper money, medals, tokens, commodity and alternative currencies, coin dies, printing plates, scales and weights, financial documents and apparatuses, credit cards, and objects that reflect established and emerging digital monetary technologies worldwide.

One (1) 50 dollar coinUnited States, 1851Obverse Image: Eagle standing on a rock, holding a shield, with a ribbon in its beak.Obverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / AUGUSTUS HUMBERT UNITED STATES ASSAYER OF GOLD CALIFORNIA / 1851 / 887 THOUS / FIFTY DOLLSReverse Image: Engine-t
Description (Brief)
One (1) 50 dollar coin
United States, 1851
Obverse Image: Eagle standing on a rock, holding a shield, with a ribbon in its beak.
Obverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / AUGUSTUS HUMBERT UNITED STATES ASSAYER OF GOLD CALIFORNIA / 1851 / 887 THOUS / FIFTY DOLLS
Reverse Image: Engine-turned design.
Reverse Text: N/A
Description
As early as 1850, agitation began in Congress for the establishment of a San Francisco branch of the United States Mint. This action was blocked by people from New York-who wanted a branch in their own state-and from Georgia and Louisiana-who argued that any California operation would represent unfair competition to the branch mints in Dahlonega and New Orleans.
The opposition won, and San Francisco would go without a mint for another four years. But it did get an odd sort of hybrid, the United States Assay Office of Gold, striking an odd sort of money-a gigantic, fifty-dollar ingot that would also do duty as a coin. The arrangement was made by the Treasury Department under a contract with Moffat & Company, private assayers and gold coiners in San Francisco.
Augustus Humbert came west to oversee the operation, which got under way at the end of January 1851. For most of the next two years, Humbert's fifty-dollar "slugs" were the principal accepted currency in California. He was eventually allowed to turn his attentions to the production of smaller, and altogether more useful, coins, ten- and twenty-dollar pieces. And his operation finally laid the framework for a formal, normal branch Mint, which began the production of ordinary federal coinage in the spring of 1854.
date made
1851
mint
United States Assay Office of Gold
ID Number
NU.68.159.1142
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.1142
This fifty dollar octagonal gold coin—also known as a “slug”—was produced in 1851 in San Francisco.
Description
This fifty dollar octagonal gold coin—also known as a “slug”—was produced in 1851 in San Francisco. After the California gold rush began in 1849, it became apparent that a mint should be established on the West Coast to remove the need to ship the gold back to Philadelphia to be minted. Prior to Congress approving the San Francisco mint in 1852, California’s delegates passed a bill in 1850 establishing the U.S. Assay Office to assay (weigh and test purity of) gold and mint coins in San Francisco. Augustus Humbert was appointed to serve as the U.S. Assayer in San Francisco. He brought dies engraved by Charles C. Wright to produce coins made by Moffat & Company. On the obverse, or front, of the coin is a spread-winged eagle on the U.S. shield resting upon a rock; in its claws are an olive branch and arrows. Above the eagle is a cartouche containing the coin’s degree of fineness, in this case 887 thousandths. Within the circle is the text “United States of America/FIFTY DOLLS.” Around the edge are the words “Augustus Humbert United States Assayer of Gold California 1851.” On the reverse is a spiral pattern created by and known as “engine turning.”
date made
1851
mint
United States Assay Office of Gold
maker
Humbert, Augustus
ID Number
NU.68.159.1192
catalog number
68.159.1192
accession number
283645
One (1) 20 dollar coin, proofUnited States, 1853Obverse Image: Eagle with shield, arrows, and branch; ribbon in beak.Obverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY D. / 900 THOUS.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin, proof
United States, 1853
Obverse Image: Eagle with shield, arrows, and branch; ribbon in beak.
Obverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY D. / 900 THOUS. / LIBERTY
Reverse Image: Engine-turning design.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES ASSAY OFFICE OF GOLD / SAN FRANCISCO / CALIFORNIA. 1853.
Description
This was the final production of the provisional United States operation in San Francisco. A formal branch U.S. Mint was set up soon and began operations in the spring of 1854. A few proof strikes of the 1853 double eagle are known, including this coin.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1853
mint
United States Assay Office of Gold
ID Number
1985.0551.0720
catalog number
1985.0551.0720
accession number
1985.0551
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1850
maker
Baldwin & Company
Baldwin & Company
ID Number
1985.0441.2198
accession number
1985.0441
catalog number
1985.0441.2198
One (1) 2 dollar noteNew Jersey, United States, 1855Obverse Image: Seal at left. In center, two men with horses, train in background. Portrait of a man at right.Obverse Text: TWO / 2 / NEW JERSEY. / NO. _ / A / THE BORDENTOWN BANKING CO. WILL PAY TWO DOLLARS TO BEARER ON DEMAND.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 2 dollar note
New Jersey, United States, 1855
Obverse Image: Seal at left. In center, two men with horses, train in background. Portrait of a man at right.
Obverse Text: TWO / 2 / NEW JERSEY. / NO. _ / A / THE BORDENTOWN BANKING CO. WILL PAY TWO DOLLARS TO BEARER ON DEMAND. / BORDENTOWN JUNE 1ST 1855
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1855
maker
American Bank Note Company
ID Number
1992.0281.1266
catalog number
92.281.1266
1992.0281.1266
accession number
1992.0281
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1854Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1854Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1854
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1854
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest. Scrolls on either side of eagle, ring of 13 stars above eagle's head, rays of sun above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY D. / E PLURIBUS UNUM / O
Description
The 1854-O double eagle is one of the great classics of the Liberty Head series. Today, there are probably fewer than 35 examples known in all grades. Most of the 1854-O double eagles seen have graded just Very Fine or Extremely Fine. The 1854-O double eagle has always been in great demand, but with the recent interest in the field of double eagles, the 1854-O issue has become nearly priceless. Probably the finest example known was found in the wreckage of the S.S. Republic.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1854
mint
U.S. Mint, New Orleans
designer
Longacre, James Barton
ID Number
NU.68.159.0335
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.0335
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1855Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1855Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1855
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1855
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest. Scrolls on either side of eagle, ring of 13 stars above eagle's head, rays above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY D. / E PLURIBUS UNUM / O
Description
The rarity of the 1855-O double eagle is often overshadowed by the 1854-O and 1856-O issues. There are fewer than 100 examples of this date known in all grades. This is especially important considering the fact that double eagles are one of the most popular U.S. coins. Most of the coins known for the date are low grade. The treasure of the S.S. Republic featured three examples, all of which grade AU-58. The Smithsonian has two specimens, both of which are About Uncirculated. Mint State coins are very rare and the few that have been certified as such, are barely so.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1855
mint
U.S. Mint, New Orleans
maker
United States Mint
designer
Longacre, James Barton
ID Number
1984.1046.0447
catalog number
1984.1046.0447
accession number
1984.1046
One (1) 10 dollar noteVirginia, United States, 1858Obverse Image: Portrait of James Madison at left. In center, two men in front of George Washington's profile with dog and ships in background.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 10 dollar note
Virginia, United States, 1858
Obverse Image: Portrait of James Madison at left. In center, two men in front of George Washington's profile with dog and ships in background. Warrior for pledge of security at right.
Obverse Text: 10 / STATE OF VIRGINIA / THE BANK OF THE COMMONWEALTH WILL PAY TO BEARER TEN DOLLARS ON DEMAND / NO. 1217 / B / RICHMOND, SEPT 4 1858 / CASHR. / PREST. / BALD, COUSLAND & CO. PHILADA & NEW YORK / AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1858
maker
Bald, Cousland & Co.
American Bank Note Company
ID Number
NU.73.11.1067
catalog number
73.11.1067
accession number
305034
serial number
1217
As early as 1850, agitation began in Congress for the establishment of a San Francisco branch of the United States Mint.
Description
As early as 1850, agitation began in Congress for the establishment of a San Francisco branch of the United States Mint. This action was blocked by people from New York-who wanted a branch in their own state-and from Louisiana and Georgia-who argued that any California operation would represent unfair competition to the branch mints in New Orleans and Dahlonega.
The opposition won, and San Francisco went without a branch mint for another four years. But it did get an odd sort of hybrid, the United States Assay Office of Gold, striking an odd sort of money-a gigantic-fifty-dollar ingot that also did duty as a coin.
In addition to the Assay Office, other California coiners toyed with the idea of striking fifty-dollar gold pieces. One group, headed by J. G. Kellogg and G. F. Richter went so far as to have dies for circular slugs prepared and a dozen or so proofs struck from those dies.
But by the time the project had gone forward that far, the federal branch Mint at San Francisco was finally coming into full production. Soon California private gold coinage, no matter how large or small the denominations, became irrelevant.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1855
mint
Kellogg and Company
ID Number
NU.78.73.1
accession number
1978.2507
catalog number
78.73.1
One (1) 10 dollar coinUnited States, 1851Obverse Image: Liberty wearing coronet, facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: BALDWIN & CO / 1851Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle.Reverse Text: S.M.V. CALIFORNIA GOLD / TEN D.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
One (1) 10 dollar coin
United States, 1851
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing coronet, facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: BALDWIN & CO / 1851
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle.
Reverse Text: S.M.V. CALIFORNIA GOLD / TEN D.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1851
maker
Baldwin & Company
ID Number
NU.68.159.1083
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.1083
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1855Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1855Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1855
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1855
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest. Scrolls on either side of eagle, ring of 13 stars above eagle's head, rays above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY D. / E PLURIBUS UNUM / S
Description
This twenty dollar Liberty Head golden double eagle coin was minted in 1855 at the newly established U.S. Mint in San Francisco. James Marshall’s 1848 discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill kicked off the California gold rush and changed the wealth and reach of the nation as suddenly gold was in plentiful supply and the population was shifting westward. An Act of Congress on March 3, 1849, authorized the coinage of gold dollars and double eagles by the U.S. Mint, and in 1852 Congress authorized President Millard Fillmore’s plan to establish a mint in San Francisco to remove the need to send the gold back to Philadelphia for minting. The mint opened in 1854, and immediately began producing gold dollars and double eagles. The newly approved double eagle coin was designed by James B. Longacre in 1850 and produced at the mints in Philadelphia and New Orleans. On the obverse, or front, of the coin is the head of Liberty facing left wearing a coronet, inscribed "Liberty." She is surrounded by thirteen stars, representative of the original states, with the engraver’s initials “JBL” at the base of the neck. The date “1885” is below the head. The reverse features a design similar to the Great Seal of the United States. A heraldic eagle holds a scroll which reads "E Pluribus Unum." The eagle protects a shield, which represents the nation, and holds an olive branch and arrows in its talons. The letter “S” denoting the San Francisco mint is below the eagle. Above the eagle are thirteen stars in a halo, together with an arc of rays. The reverse rim reads “United States of America/Twenty D.”
date made
1855
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
designer
Longacre, James Barton
ID Number
NU.68.159.0954
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.0954
One (1) 20 dollar noteNew Jersey, United States, 1858Obverse Image: At left, factory blowing smoke. In center, ironworkers. At right, seal.Obverse Text: 20 / STATE OF NEW JERSEY / THE IRON BANK WILL PAY TO BEARER TWENTY DOLLARS ON DEMAND / A / NO.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar note
New Jersey, United States, 1858
Obverse Image: At left, factory blowing smoke. In center, ironworkers. At right, seal.
Obverse Text: 20 / STATE OF NEW JERSEY / THE IRON BANK WILL PAY TO BEARER TWENTY DOLLARS ON DEMAND / A / NO. _ / MORRISTOWN, _ 18_
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1858
maker
Bald, Cousland & Co.
ID Number
1992.0281.1556
catalog number
1992.0281.1556
accession number
1992.0281
catalog number
92.281.1556
This medal commemorates Joachim Lelewe l (1786-1861), a Polish historian and politician with revolutionary ideas against Russia. He fled Poland for France, and then went on to Belgium, where he remained from 1833 to 1861.
Description
This medal commemorates Joachim Lelewe l (1786-1861), a Polish historian and politician with revolutionary ideas against Russia. He fled Poland for France, and then went on to Belgium, where he remained from 1833 to 1861. Amongst his writings were two numismatic works - "La Numismatique du Moyen Age" (1835) and "Etudes Numismatiques" (1840). Jean Wurden, who designed this medal, is identified by the inscription under the bust - Wurden F. ("Wurden Fecit" - Wurden made it).
Obverse inscription: A LELEWEL L'ILLUSTRE NUMISMATE ("To Lelewel, noted numismatist" in French).
Reverse inscription: AMOR BELGARUM EXSULIS SOLATIUM 1833-1858 (Roughly "Love from Belgium comforts the exile" in Latin).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1858
ID Number
NU.68.263.1077
catalog number
68.263.1077
accession number
281689
Mintage: 141,468The year 1854 was the first time that gold coins were produced at the San Francisco Mint. The 1854-S quarter eagle and half eagle are extremely rare. Most of the production for the year focused on double eagles.
Description (Brief)
Mintage: 141,468
The year 1854 was the first time that gold coins were produced at the San Francisco Mint. The 1854-S quarter eagle and half eagle are extremely rare. Most of the production for the year focused on double eagles. The issue was widely distributed and many of the coins seen today are rather heavily worn. A large group of 1854-S double eagles were found in the wreckage of the S.S. Yankee Blade. The treasure was undocumented, but it is believed that around 200 to 300 coins were discovered. Most of the coins were high-grade examples with surfaces that are lightly etched from exposure to seawater. A Proof example of the 1854-S double eagle resides in the Smithsonian Collection.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1854
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
ID Number
1984.1046.0440
catalog number
1984.1046.0440
accession number
1984.1046
One (1) 5 dollar notePennsylvania, United States, 1859Obverse Image: At left, Ceres with harvest. In center, man in middle of ornate V. At top right, young boy with older man and dog.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 5 dollar note
Pennsylvania, United States, 1859
Obverse Image: At left, Ceres with harvest. In center, man in middle of ornate V. At top right, young boy with older man and dog. At bottom right, portrait of a woman.
Obverse Text: 5 / V / THE CENTRAL BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA WILL PAY FIVE DOLLARS TO BEARER ON DEMAND. / HOLLIDAYSBURG FEB 14 1859 / A / NO. 2197
Description
Bank notes were another resource to pay for goods and services instead of relying on the dwindling supply of federally coined money. However, if the business that issued the notes failed, then the money was worthless. This five-dollar note soon became obsolete after it was issued since the Central Bank of Pennsylvania stopped operating in 1862.
date made
1859
maker
Danforth, Wright & Co.
ID Number
1992.0281.1724
catalog number
1992.0281.1724
accession number
1992.0281
catalog number
92.281.1724
serial number
2197
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1856Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1856Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1856
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1856
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest. Scrolls on either side of eagle, ring of 13 stars above eagle's head, rays above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY D. / E PLURIBUS UNUM / O
Description
The 1856-O double eagle is one of the great rarities of the Liberty Head series. There are thought to be fewer than 25 coins known in all grades. The known coins range in grade from polished Very Fine to Specimen-63. Most collectors of double eagles have given up on this date as the starting price for an attractive example begins in the six figures. The Smithsonian contains two examples. Of the small number of coins known in About Uncirculated condition, most are at least partially prooflike. The collecting of gold coins by mintmark did not start in earnest until decades after the 1856-O double eagles were struck. Today, the issue is considered a “classic.” Note: This coin is included among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins (Garrett and Guth 2005).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1856
mint
U.S. Mint, New Orleans
maker
United States Mint
designer
Longacre, James Barton
ID Number
1984.1046.0457
catalog number
1984.1046.0457
accession number
1984.1046
One (1) 10 dollar noteMaine, United States, 1857Obverse Image: At left, a family relaxing together with workers in background. At right, a portrait of a man.Obverse Text: X / 10 / TEN / MAINE.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 10 dollar note
Maine, United States, 1857
Obverse Image: At left, a family relaxing together with workers in background. At right, a portrait of a man.
Obverse Text: X / 10 / TEN / MAINE. / A / 4800 / THE NEW ENGLAND BANK WILL PAY ON DEMAND TO THE BEARER TEN DOLLARS / FAIRMONT, OCTOBER 1ST, 1857 / RAWDON, WRIGHT, HATCH & EDSON. NEW YORK.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1857
maker
Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson
ID Number
NU.237590.0002
accession number
237590
catalog number
NU64288
serial number
4800
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1858
ID Number
NU.NU72821
catalog number
NU72821
accession number
240869
Produced at Moffat & Company's mint, San Francisco, California. Obverse: Liberty head, stars around, date below. Reverse: Eagle, denomination.
Description
Produced at Moffat & Company's mint, San Francisco, California. Obverse: Liberty head, stars around, date below. Reverse: Eagle, denomination. Obverse and reverse designs bear a close and deliberate similarity to those used on the "official" double eagle of the same period produced by the U.S. Mint for regular circulating coins.
Moffat & Company was a major player in the production of California private gold coinage. It was closely connected with Augustus Humbert and the fifty-dollar "slugs" of the United States Assay Office of Gold in San Francisco. Humbert did the assaying and Moffat did the coining. This 1853 double eagle is one of the last coins struck by this prolific California pioneer coiner. It was minted in the late summer or early autumn of 1853.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1853
maker
Moffat & Company
ID Number
1991.0009.0990
catalog number
1991.0009.0990
accession number
1991.0009
Mintage: 71,000As can been seen from the much lower mintage, the 1853-O double eagle is considerably rarer than the preceding double eagles from the New Orleans Mint.
Description (Brief)
Mintage: 71,000
As can been seen from the much lower mintage, the 1853-O double eagle is considerably rarer than the preceding double eagles from the New Orleans Mint. While scarce, collectors willing to settle for a Very Fine or Extremely Fine coin will have little trouble locating an example. Most of the coins seen are softly struck in the central portions of the design and high-grade examples are usually prooflike. A very small number was found on the wrecks of the S.S. Central America and S.S. Republic. There are fewer than 10 examples known in Mint State.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1853
mint
U.S. Mint, New Orleans
designer
Longacre, James Barton
ID Number
NU.68.159.0950
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.0950
The Northern Bank of Kentucky in Lexington issued this one dollar bank note on May 3, 1856. The note was printed by Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Company of Philadelphia, which was well known for printing both currency and stamps during the 1850s.
Description
The Northern Bank of Kentucky in Lexington issued this one dollar bank note on May 3, 1856. The note was printed by Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Company of Philadelphia, which was well known for printing both currency and stamps during the 1850s. The center of the note depicts a pastoral scene with an allegorical image of Progress holding the bank’s charter, with Lexington’s railroad and skyline in the background. Two portraits of unknown persons are at the upper left and right of the note, with a portrait of George Washington at the lower right. The note is signed by the bank’s cashier, A. F. Hawkins, and its president, M. T. Scott. Notes that had been printed were not considered valid until the note was signed.
From 1790 to 1863, states and private banks issued their own currency to supply capital in a young nation without a national currency. This currency was backed by the hard money the banks had on deposit, and was only used locally where the bank and its operators were trusted in the community. However, banks often oversupplied notes, and this overextension caused bankruptcy among private and state banks when financial panic struck, particularly in 1837. Currencies from these failed banks are known as “obsolete bank notes” or “broken bank notes,” and several are held in the National Numismatic Collection.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1856
maker
Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co.
ID Number
NU.79.112.CM01526
accession number
1979.1263
collector/donor number
CM01526
catalog number
NU*79.112.CM01526
serial number
1085
This jeton or medal was struck to honor of the death of Czar Nicholas I who died on March 2, 1855. Death medals were struck to preserve the image and memory of a deceased ruler.Currently not on view
Description
This jeton or medal was struck to honor of the death of Czar Nicholas I who died on March 2, 1855. Death medals were struck to preserve the image and memory of a deceased ruler.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1855
ID Number
NU.66.28822
catalog number
66.28822
accession number
270424
One (1) 20 dollar coinUnited States, 1854Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1854Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1854
Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a coronet and facing left. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1854
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest. Scrolls on either side of eagle, ring of 13 stars above eagle's head, rays of sun above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY D. / E PLURIBUS UNUM / S
Description
The sheer size of the California gold strike altered the nature of American numismatics. It was not only that mintage figures dramatically increased; the actual range of denominations increased as well.
Prior to 1849, there had been three gold coins: the quarter eagle, half eagle, and eagle (or $2.50, $5.00, and $10.00 coins). By 1854, three more had been added, a dollar, a three-dollar piece, and a double eagle, or twenty-dollar coin.
Artist James Barton Longacre designed all three of the new coins. The double eagle was the most popular. For its obverse, Longacre employed a simple head of Liberty, wearing a coronet. Stars surrounded the head of the goddess, and the date appeared below. The reverse depicted a somewhat ornate representation of an eagle, a "glory" of stars and rays above, the national motto to either side.
In 1854, the United States created a new branch mint in San Francisco to deal with the fruits of the gold rush. It was intended to replace a whole galaxy of private California mints that had created a variety of local coins.
This double eagle was the first coin the new federal mint struck. Below the eagle, each coin from the new branch Mint bore a distinctive small "S." This distinguished the coin from ones struck in Philadelphia, which had no such mark, and ones struck at New Orleans, which had an "O."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1854
mint
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
maker
Longacre, James Barton
ID Number
1985.0441.0488
accession number
1985.0441
catalog number
1985.0441.0488
One (1) 5 dollar coinUnited States, 1854Obverse Image: Left facing Liberty with hair tied in a bun and wearing a coronet.
Description (Brief)
One (1) 5 dollar coin
United States, 1854
Obverse Image: Left facing Liberty with hair tied in a bun and wearing a coronet. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1854
Reverse Image: Eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest with vertical stripes on bottom part and horizontal stripes on top part.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / FIVE D. / S
Description
The mint struck eagles and double eagles in some quantity (about 124,000 and 141,000, respectively). But it only minted a handful of quarter eagles (less than 250), and hardly more half eagles. The piece shown here is arguably the finest known. San Francisco expanded production in the next few years, adding silver coinage to the gold, and gradually assumed its position as a major producer of the nation's money.
Made of California gold, this rare coin was one of the first produced at the U.S. Mint branch in San Francisco. The mintmark, "S," is stamped on the reverse. California gold initially had to be shipped for coining to the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, an expensive, slow, and risky undertaking. Meanwhile, private mints made coins that could be used in local markets. With the opening of the San Francisco Mint in 1854, gold could be converted quickly and efficiently into U.S. legal tender.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1854
issuing authority
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
designer
Gobrecht, Christian
ID Number
NU.68.159.0210
accession number
283645
catalog number
68.159.0210

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